Bangladesh asks India to simplify medical visa process

Dhaka has asked New Delhi to simplify the process of giving medical visa to the Bangladeshi people.

Bangladesh government believes easy process of getting medical visa will minimise the “illegal crossing” of people to India.

“Getting a tourist visa is very easy. But as far as visa on medical ground is concerned, it is very tough,” said Major General Aziz Ahmed, Director General, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Thursday.

“If India simplifies the process of giving medical visa, illegal crossing of people will definitely come down.”

Major General Ahmed said a government delegation had recently met Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pankaj Saran and discussed how the process could be simplified.

“From a least developing country, we are now transforming into a middle-income country…we don’t think there is any reason for people to migrate,” he said after a Border Coordination Conference with Border Security Force (BSF).

He admitted people got caught while illegally crossing the border.

“We came to know that these people want to go to India for better treatment,” said BGB chief, quoting the revelation made by such detainees during interrogation.

Illegal crossing of people from across the border is a burning issue in India.

In fact, several political parties use the issue as a political plank during elections in India’s northeastern states.

“We don’t know how many people have migrated…but we take steps to stop them,” said BSF Director General DK Pathak.

The BSF and BGB during the 41st Border Coordination Conference that concluded in New Delhi on Thursday discussed in details several issues.

These included effective implementation of the Coordinated Border Management Plan for better border management, fight against insurgents, action against pumping of FICN, bringing down the border firing to zero-level, prevention of human trafficking.

Both sides also discussed ways and means to stop the smuggling of cattle from India.

According to reports, over two million cattle were smuggled into Bangladesh last year and this time it came down to 400,000 until June this year, said Pathak.

“In fact, we (BSF and BGB) have identified vulnerable areas of cattle smuggling… we will take all possible measures to stop this,” said BSF chief.

Echoing him, Major General Ahmed said cattle farming should be promoted.

“We have identified some vulnerable areas. We are taking actions, and I think it will come down,” he said.